Can't we all just believe what we want?

Question

Two truths of an atheist

1. Religion won't go away just by ignoring it.
2. Religion is imaginary.

Come on guys, if these people's beliefs are imaginary, how is it affecting you? Just forget about it and let's all try and be happy.

Oh and don't tell me that at some point some nut job killed somebody, I already know that. Let's move on.

Answer 1

Don't worry; be happy!

Answer 2

We are not affected by other's beliefs but we are affected by the behaviors that grow out of those beliefs.

For example if I get together with a bunch of my neighbors and we pool our resources to build a building for our mutual use we get no tax break, but if we call it a church we all get to deduct the money we put toward the building. Yet there's no rationale for that.

If people who label themselves Christian support an unnecessary war because the supposed "enemies" do not label themselves Christian that affects all Americans.

If creationists pressure their schools to teach things that have been proven false time and time again we are all affected by that.

While some aspects of religion are beneficial or benign (if religion is keeping you from murdering people, then goody for religion) there is much about religion that is harmful:

+ the divisiveness
+ the resistance to scientific truth
+ the influence over public policy that is not founded in sound theory
+ the misallocation of resources

Answer 3

I was at a farmers market last night, and I saw a man with an interesting sign saying that if you don't repent and believe in jesus, you'd burn in hell.

It pissed me off, because he was saying how there is only one true god, and in my head, as I walked by, I thought, maybe I should ask him something. This imaginary conversation sums up why we can't just be okay with everyone believing what they want as it works for them.

I should've said, "So if I think you're going to burn in hell because you stand here holding this sign and repenting and condeming everyone else, and you think that I'm going to burn in hell because I don't believe what you do, what then? Do we stand here and argue, do I damn you, or, when we reach this impasse and it becomes clear that you have your beliefs and I have mine- how will we decide who is right if we both think WE are right?" I imagined him looking dumb founded, and maybe kind of pissed. I can see my father (who I was with) looking really pissed. But I don't know what this old, die-hard man would've said. I just know that what I thought next makes a lot of sense. If we both think we are right and that the other is going to hell, and if we both know that there is no way to prove one or the other right and we aren't going to back down, shouldn't we just start fighting, right there, in the crowd, and whoever kills the other is most obviously right, because they are still alive to preach what they think?

So.

That's why we have religious wars, and that's why we have people fighting over beliefs- because most religions teach that theirs is THE ONLY WAY and the only RIGHT. This doesn't mean it's true, but it means you have a lot of people who think so, and if you know anything about masses of people who all believe in one thing, that's pretty compelling.

Answer 4

It affects us when the religious folk try to legislate morality, ie no gay marriage, no abortions, etc. They want to place limits on personal freedoms, and this country was founded on the idea of personal freedom within the law. Not God's law, but the laws of men.

I don't care what you believe. I don't think any of us do. We don't want to convert you to our way of thinking, nor do I personally want to see all religions vanish. I just wish people could be more open minded to the possibilities beyond just what their book says.

Answer 5

Of course people will believe what they want- there is no changing that, only GOD can change their hearts. But if you believe in something other than the truth of Jesus Christ- are you willing to risk that choice of after death, facing Him on judgment day, realizing that the Bible was truth- and that salvation is only through Him?
What if you died today?

Answer 6

I'd happily let it be. If the christians weren't trying to put their religion into schools, lawa and politics. That makes it everyone's business and I'm negligent if I don't speak up about what I believe to be wrong.

Answer 7

Certainly, we all now only can, but must, believe whatever we choose to believe. Who's saying that you can't? Just don't cry to me on judgment day and I won't say I told you so. Deal?

Answer 8

Today, our money is wasted on 'faith-based initiatives' while we need universal healthcare.

Isn't that enough reason?

Answer 9

Wrong belief is hell bound...

Answer 10

so it's a cult now? well it has "truths"....